Signaling system



- April 4, 1944. .1. w. lVEY ET AL 2,345,979

SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTU RN KY5 April4, 1944. J. w. lVEY ET AL SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 6; 1941 5Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V ENTORS flfiy 1621/ /52 flzdeiz 5 April 4, 1944. J.W. lVEY ET AL 2,345,979

SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 6, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 jrzszzifzarz IA1TDRNEYS Patented Apr. 4, 1944 SIGNALING SYSTEM Jack W. Ivey and WilburD. Owens, Albany, 6a., assignors toAmerican Signal Company, Albany, Ga.,a corporation of Georgia Application June 6, 1941, Serial No. 396,924

1 Claim.

This invention relates to signs and more particularly to an improvedsignaling system for use on automobiles, or other vehicles forcontrolling trafflc.

One object of the invention is to provide a signaling system employingan improved signaling unit which is mounted so that it can be seeneither from the front or the rear of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signaling system whereinthe signaling unit employs a number of individually energizable signswhich may be controlled from a remote point for displaying a number ofdifferent visible signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signaling system, thesignaling unit of which is formed with streamlined walls for cuttingdown air resistance and, at the same time, protecting the signs frominjury from the elements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system of thischaracter wherein improved switching means is employed for controllingthe individual signals.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signaling systemwhich, in a modified embodiment, makes use of a plurality of signalhousings mounted at the front and rear of a vehicle for simultaneouslydisplaying signals.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a signalingsystem which is not limited to use with automobiles but which may beused for other purposes,

Still further objects of the invention, not specifically mentionedhereinbefore, will become apparent during the course of the followingdescription.

In the drawings forming a part of our application:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the construction of thesignaling unit,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the signaling unit as it would appearmounted in operative position,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail vertical sectionalview of the signalingunit and showing particularly the manner of mounting certain of the neontubes employed,

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation particularly showing the clipemployed for retaining one of the neon tube mounting posts in position,

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, partlyin shown in Figure 9, and

Figure -11 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring diagram employed.

In the drawings forming a part of our application, like numerals ofreference will be seen to designate similar parts throughout the views.

The signaling unit of our signaling system, as disclosed in Figures 1through 8 of the drawings, is preferably mounted on the roof of a motorvehicle, said motor vehicle being designated generally at l and the roofthereof at 2. The signaling unit is indicated generally at 3 and issubstantially inverted U shape in transverse section. As seen in Figure2, the unit 3 is of a length sufficient to extend throughout the majorportion of the width of the top 2 and is of arcuate shape longitudinallyso that it will conform conveniently to the surface of the top 2;

It should be understood that, although our invention is particularlywell suited for use in conjunction with motor vehicles, it may also beused effectively. at fixed locations, such as buildings and the like.-

The signaling unit 3 includes an arcuate top wall 4 andabottomwall 5.The unit also includes front and rear walls 6 and l which have theircorresponding lower ends turned outwardly, at 8, to engage the uppersurface of the roof 2. The walls 6 and I are cut away throughout themajor portions of their lengths and heights and said cut away portionsare closed by transparent panes 9 and I0 which are of arcuate shapelongitudinally and which are held in place by means of frames ll.Attention is particularly called to the fact that, inasmuch as the panes9 and I0 and the walls 6 and l are inclined with respect to the roof 2of the vehicle I, a streamlined effect will be secured. This streamlinedefiect is further enhanced by the provision of the top wall 4 which isarcuate in both its lateral and longitudinal dimensions. The streamlinedeffect will, of

course, cut down wind resistance and add to the and extendingtransversely throughout its length elevation, showing the manner ofconnecting certain of the neon tubes to each other,

dividing the interior of said unit into compartments, one of saidcompartments being indicated at II and the other at l4. The partitionl2, in addition to defining the compartments l3 and [4, also serves as asupport for high tension transformers l5 and I8, one of which is mountedin each of'the compartments l3 and 14. The high tension transformers arefor the purpose of energizing the neon signs or signals to be describedhereinafter.

Mounted in each of the compartments l3 and I4 are signal supportingwalls I! and i8. Inasmuch as the walls I! and I8, and the signalsmounted thereon, are identical in construction, a description of onewill sufllce for both. In this connection, however, it is desired tostate that the signals mounted on the walls in the compartments l3 andI4 will be of a different nature. For example, in Figure 8, the front ofthe signaling unit is shown with the word Stop and the words StatePolice" displayed. In Figure 2 of the drawings, the rear of thesignaling unit is shown with the word Caution" and the words StatePolice." However, the mounting of the neon tubes necessary to displaythe signals will be identical so that, as stated, a description of onewill suflice for all. The wall H, as best seen in Figure 1, extendsthroughout the longitudinal height of the unit and is held in place bymeans of brackets l9 and 29. The wall l'l extends throughout the entirelongitudinal length of the unit and is disposed substantially mediallyof the compartment l3.

Mounted on the outer face of the wall H, for

display through the transparent pane 9, are neon I tubes 2|. It shouldbe understood that the coristruction of the tubes themselves forms nopart of our invention and that said tubes are formed to spell out thedesired words. The neon tubes, however, have their terminal portionsextending through grommets 22 which are of insulating material and whichare mounted in the wall I'l. As best seen in Figure 1, the terminalportions of the tubes are each provided with terminals 23 which areelectrically connected to the high tension secondary of the transformer15 by means of conductors 24.

In order to assure that the neon tubes will be properly supported on thewall II, for displaying signals through the pane 9, we providesupporting posts 25 which are formed of glass or other suitableinsulating material and which have notched 0r threaded portions 25 whichare re ceived in the sleeve 21 of a mounting base 28, said mounting basebeing held in position on the wall I! by a screw 29. The post 25 isheldin place in the sleeve 21 by the engagement of circumferentiallyextending teeth or ribs of the post by end portions 39 of a clip 3|which surrounds the sleeve 21. The post 25 includes a head 32 which isformed with hooks 33 and an arcuate end surface 34 which arcuate endsurface receives the arcuate surface of a portion of one of the neontubes 2|. Another of the neon tubes 2| crosses over the first-mentionedtube at this point and said second tube is cushioned from thefirst-mentioned one by means of a resilient block 35. A tie wire 36extends about the second-mentioned tube, straddles the resilient block35, extends about a portion of the first-mentioned tube and is tiedbeneath the hooks 33 for retaining the tubes against displacement suchas would be caused by repeated jarring or other vibration. It should beunderstood that as many of the posts 25 as may be desired may beemployed, one of the posts commonly being employed at each point whereone of the tubes crosses over another.

As stated hereinbefore, a number of neon signs will be mounted on eachof the walls l1 and II, and these signs are individually controlled froma point within the vehicle or from some other remote point. Each of thesigns will preferably employ its own high tension transformer and willbe connected to said transformer by the conductors 24. a The primariesof each of the high tension transformers are connected with switchingmechanism to be described hereinafter for permitting the individualcontrol hereinbefore mentioned.

In Figures 1 through 8 of the drawings, we have disclosed the signalingunit as it would appear'mounted on the top of a vehicle. In Figures 8, 9and 10, however, we show two separate signaiing units, one of which maybe mounted at the rear of the vehicle and the other at the frontthereof. In Figure 8, there is shown in dotted lines at B an individualunit which may be placed in front of the vehicle and, at C in Figure 10,there'is shown a unit to be mounted at the rear of the vehicle. Theunits B and C are preferably streamlined for cutting down windresistance. a

It is desired to emphasize that we do not limit ourselves to thespecific arrangement shown as, if desired, asignaling unit or units maybe mounted at any suitable point on a vehicle. Furthermore, saidsignaling units are not limited to use on motor vehicles but may be usedin other locations, when desired.

The switching means we employ for controllng the'individual signs willnow be described. The switching means is shown generallyat 35 in Figure11. This switching means will be duplicated when necessary in anyparticular installation. In other words, separate switches willpreferably be employed for remotely controlling selected signs. Theswitching means shown in Figure 11 is only typical, as it is obviousthat the structure may be varied to suit particular installations. InFigure 11, the numeral 31 indicates a base on one end of which ismounted a magnet 38 having a pole piece 39. Also mounted on the base andin close spaced relation to the magnet 39 is a supporting post 40 onwhich is mounted one end of an armature 4| which armature is formed ofspring metal. Mounted on the under surface of the armature 4| tocooperate with the pole piece 39 is a contact 42.

At its opposite end, the base carries a solenoid 43 which includes amagnet 44 and a plunger 45. and extending laterally therefrom is anarmature mounting block 48 which has formed on its free end portion earsdefining a mounting yoke 51. Swingingly connected with the solenoid 43and having its inner end portion pivotally mounted between the yoke 41is an armature 48, said armature being pivotally connected to theplunger 45 at a point near the inner end of the said armature by a pivotpin 49. Mounted on the under surface of the outer end portion of thearmature 48 is a contact 50. Also mounted on the base is a contactsupporting post 5| which is of substantially T shape. The contact postcarries a contact 52 thereon which cooperates with the contact 50 forclosin an electric circuit, in a manner to be set forth in more detailhereinafter. The post 5|, like the post 49, is of insulating materialand also carries a terminal 53. Connected between the terminal 53 andthe armature 48 is a Mounted on the upper end of the magnet bowed leafspring 54, the purpose of which is to retain the armature 48 normally ininoperative position, withthe contacts 50 and 52 separated.

' It should be understood that the solenoid 43,

armature 48 and contact 58 thereon, contact posts and contact 52thereon-and the spring 54 cooperate to-define a high tension switch.

The-switch assembly 36 is connectively connected in a circuit whichincludes a battery 55, a high tension transformer 58, which includes aprimary 5'! and a secondary 58, typical signs 59 and 60, and a remotecontrol switch unit 6| which includes switchesf'62, 63, and 64. Theswitches 63 and 64 are connected to switch assemblies identical with theassembly 36 or with other electrical mechanism to be controlled. Theswitch 6| has one terminal connected with one terminal of the battery 55by a conductor 65. The other terminal of the battery is connected.ivvith one terminal of the magnet 38 by a conductor 66. The otherterminal of the magnet is connected to the other terminal of the switch62, through an interrupter 60 by conductors 61 and 68, which conductor68 is also connected to the armature 4|. The battery is also connectedto one terminal'of the magnet 44 of the solenoid 43 by the conductors66, 69 and 10. A

conductor connects the remaining terminal of the magnet 44 with theconductor 68 and thus to the switch 82. I

The pole piece 39 of the magnet 38 is connected to one terminal of theprimary 51 of the transformer 56 by a conductor 12. The other terminalof the primary 51 is connected with the battery through the conductors66, 69 and 13. One terminal of the secondary. 58 of the transformer 58is connected to one terminal of the .sign 59 by a conductor I4. Theother terminal of the sign 59 is connected to the terminal 53, and thusto the armature 48 through the spring 54, by a conductor 15. Theremaining. terminal of the secondary 58 is connected with one terminalof the sign 60 by a conductor 16, the other terminal of said sign beingconnected to the contact 52 by a conductor l1.

In operation, when theswitch 62 is closed, the magnets 38 and 44 areenergized with the result that the armatures 4| and 48, respectively,will be attracted for engaging the contact 42 with the pole piece 39 andalso engaging the contacts 50 and 52. Attention is directed to the factthat the solenoid 43 will be slightly faster in operation than themagnet 38 with the result that the contacts ill and 52 will be closedbefore the contact 42 is engaged with the pole piece 39.

The advantage for this construction is that arcing at the contacts 50and 52 will be eliminated for the reason that, as stated, these contactswill be closed before the primary of the transformer 56 is energized,which energization takes place upon engagement of the contact 42 withthe pole piece 39.

The magnets 44 and 38 may be wound to operate on either 6 or 110 volts,A. C. or D. C. to switch the high tension current from a remote positionand without arcing. The system hereinbefore described is particularlyadapted for use on ambulances, school and passenger buses and othervehicles, as well as on police cars.

It is desired particularly to call attention to 'the fact that thesignaling units employed effectively protect the neon tube signs andtheir high tension power supplies from the elements so that danger ofthe system being accidentally rendered inoperative is reduced to aminimum. Also, the particular mounting structure for the neon tube signsassures that said signs will not be damaged by vibration or the like.

It is believed that it will now be understood 4 that we have provided asignaling system which is both simple in construction and highlyefiicient in use. Further description is believed unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A signaling system for vehicles including a high voltage operated visualsignal, a transformer having a primary and a high voltage secondary, afirst relay having a coil and a pair of normally open contacts, a secondrelay having a coil, a 5 pair of normally open contacts and a pair ofnormally closed contacts, a manually operated switch, a source of lowtension direct current,

a circuit including the coil of the first relay in parallel with aseries circuit including the coil of the second relay and the normallyclosed contacts of said second relay, said parallel circuit being inseries with said source of low tension current and said manuallyoperated switch, a circuit including the primary of said transformer,the normally open contacts of said second relay and said source of lowtension direct current, a circuit including the secondary of saidtransformer, the said visual signal and the contacts of said firstrelay, said relays being so constructed that the contacts of said firstmentionec1,relay close before and open after the contacts of said secondmentioned relay whereby arcing at said first mentioned contacts will beprevented.

